TEHRAN, Iran — When parliament speaker Ali Larijani was attacked with prayer stones and shoes in the city of Qom on Feb. 10, a powerful figure with ties in the upper echelon of power in the Islamic Republic of Iran seemed truly vulnerable for the first time. Larijani, who has been the speaker of parliament for the last six years, has also presided over the powerful Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, served as the minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and as the interim commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Larijani’s experience and political clout made him appear invincible. However, when he was insulted and attacked at the 35th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran during his speech at the shrine of Masumah, his public humiliation received wide coverage in both domestic and foreign press.